Published ranges, not 'call for pricing'
What HVAC Work Actually Costs in the Twin Ports
Real ranges for real work. These are typical installed costs in this market, not quotes — but they should tell you whether a number you have been given is reasonable.
$89 diagnostic, credited toward the repair when you approve the work. Answered 24/7.
Short answer
What do you charge?
Our diagnostic is $89 and is credited toward the repair when you approve the work, at the same rate after hours. A furnace tune-up is $149. Typical installed costs: furnace $4,500–$9,500, air conditioner $4,000–$8,000, cold-climate heat pump $6,000–$16,000 before rebates, boiler $7,000–$16,000. Commercial work is quoted hourly plus parts.
Diagnostic
$89
Credited toward the repair when you approve the work. Same rate after hours — we do not multiply it because it is 2am. There is an after-hours labour rate, stated on the phone before we dispatch.
Tune-up
$149
Per system, including combustion analysis, static pressure, safety testing and a written report with the actual readings. Not a filter change and a sticker.
Commercial
Hourly + parts
Commercial equipment is too varied for a price book to be honest. We state the rate and estimated hours before starting. Maintenance-agreement customers get a discounted rate and no after-hours premium.
Residential installed cost ranges
| Service | Typical range | What moves the number |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace Repair | $180–$900 | A flame sensor or ignitor is usually $180–$350 installed. |
| Furnace Installation & Replacement | $4,500–$9,500 | A straightforward 80% AFUE swap in an accessible basement is at the low end. |
| Air Conditioning Repair | $180–$1,200 | A run capacitor is usually $180–$300. |
| Air Conditioning Installation | $4,000–$8,000 | Matching a new condenser and coil to existing, adequate ductwork is at the low end. |
| Cold-Climate Heat Pump Installation | $6,000–$16,000 | A single-zone ductless head is at the bottom. |
| Boiler Repair | $200–$1,400 | A thermocouple, aquastat or air purge is at the low end. |
| HVAC Maintenance & Tune-Ups | $149–$299 | $149 for a single-system tune-up. |
| Ductless Mini-Splits | $4,000–$20,000 | One indoor head on an accessible exterior wall is at the low end. |
| Boiler Installation & Replacement | $7,000–$16,000 | A like-for-like cast-iron replacement with existing chimney venting is at the low end. |
| 24/7 Emergency HVAC Repair | From $89 | The after-hours diagnostic is $89 like any other call, credited toward the repair when you approve it. |
| Indoor Air Quality | $400–$4,500 | A media filter cabinet is $400–$900. |
| Thermostats & Smart Controls | $250–$600 | A straightforward swap with an existing C-wire is at the low end. |
| Ductwork & Airflow | $350–$6,000 | Sealing accessible joints and a plenum is at the low end. |
| Water Heaters | $1,600–$6,500 | A straight atmospheric tank swap is at the low end. |
| Propane & LP Furnace Service | $180–$900 | Propane repairs price much like natural gas: the parts are largely the same. |
| Radiant Floor Heating | $8–$20 / sq ft | Per square foot. |
Why we publish these at all
Most contractors will not, and the reason given is that every job is different. Every job is different — but a range with an explanation of what moves it is still far more useful to you than "we would need to come out and look". You should be able to tell from a website roughly what a furnace costs before you spend an afternoon collecting quotes.
It also protects you. The spread between a fair price and a bad one in this trade is enormous, and it persists because customers have no reference point. If someone quotes you $14,000 for a straightforward furnace replacement in an accessible basement, you should know that is outside the normal range and ask why.
What is included in an installed price
Permit where the jurisdiction requires it. Removal and legal disposal of the old equipment, including refrigerant recovery. The new equipment set properly with service clearance preserved. Gas line sized and leak-tested. Venting to the manufacturer's specification with correct slope and termination clearances. Condensate routed somewhere that will not freeze. Duct transitions sealed with mastic.
Then commissioning, which is the step that gets skipped and the reason two identical systems can differ by 20% in efficiency: static pressure measured, gas pressure clocked at the meter, temperature rise verified inside the nameplate range, combustion analysed, refrigerant charge weighed and verified, safeties proven, blower speed set for your actual duct system. You get those readings in writing.
What is not included and will be quoted separately if needed: electrical service upgrades, chimney lining for an orphaned water heater, asbestos abatement on old duct insulation, structural or drywall work, and significant duct redesign. We identify those during the survey rather than on install day.
Financing and rebates
Monthly payment plans on new systems — Approved credit, terms disclosed at quote. More on financing.
Rebates come off the top and they are substantial on heat pumps in particular. Which program applies depends on your address and fuel, because this service area spans four of them. See the rebate guide.
Pricing questions
Is the $89 diagnostic really credited to the repair?
Yes — if you approve the work, the $89 comes off the repair price. If you decide not to proceed, you pay the $89 for the diagnosis and you keep the written findings to use elsewhere.
Do you charge more for after-hours calls?
The diagnostic is the same. There is an after-hours labour rate for the repair work itself, and we tell you what it is on the phone before dispatching so it is not a surprise on the invoice. Parts are priced the same as daytime.
Why is commercial not flat-rate?
Because commercial equipment varies far too much for a price book to be honest — a rooftop unit, a steam plant and a walk-in rack are not comparable jobs. Hourly plus parts with a stated estimate is the honest structure. Maintenance agreements reduce the rate and remove the after-hours premium.
Will you match a cheaper quote?
We will look at it with you and explain any real difference in scope — sizing method, venting, commissioning, warranty, whether a chimney liner or duct work was included. Often the gap is scope rather than margin. If it is genuinely a like-for-like job and we cannot compete, we will tell you that too.
Do you charge for quotes on replacement work?
No. Replacement and installation quotes are free, including the load calculation and the survey. The $89 diagnostic applies to repair calls, where the work is figuring out what is wrong.
No heat? Call us now.
We answer 24 hours a day, every day of the year — Duluth, Superior and every town within 45 miles, in both states. $89 diagnostic, credited toward the repair when you approve the work.